The cap is especially tough on lower-income districts, because they, traditionally, have had the hardest time passing school budgets. Under the law, a district must pass its annual budget with a supermajority of 60 percent or greater if it wants to override the cap and spend more to stave off cuts. Jericho, a wealthy school district by any measure, can easily garner 70 percent of the “yes” vote. But too many districts in less affluent areas aren’t so fortunate.

Who suffers? The children.

When will we, as a society, get it? Education isn’t about cost-effectively churning out widgets. It’s an enormously complex, often expensive process.

If we make that investment, though, the rate of return is huge. When it comes to children’s education, we are, after all, talking about the future of our nation.

Scott Brinton is senior editor of the Bellmore and Merrick Heralds and an adjunct professor at the Hofstra University Graduate Journalism Program. Comments? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203. Brinton’s profile and posts can be found at facebook.com/scottabrinton.